Straightline
Isuzu
July 17, 2008
The idea is pretty simple. Take one Class 4-5 Isuzu diesel truck, yank the engine and replace it with a 00 kw, UQM liquid-cooled, DC brushless electric motor that receives juice from a 50 kw, recyclable lithium polymer battery pack that is then placed between the truck's frame rails.
The Zero Truck uses the stock GM automatic transmission and weighs in about 600 pounds more than before the conversion. The trucks come with an onboard charger and the battery pack takes 8 hours on 220 volts--or 12 hours--on 110 volts, for a complete charge. Best of all it costs about $3 to recharge.
Full story here.
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- Posted by: Bob Holland July 17, 2008, 4:00 AM
- Categories: Green Tech, Isuzu, Trucks
January 31, 2008
No surprise here. The only question was when, and now that's been answered: January 31, 2009.
Frankly, I'm surprised they're waiting that long. I guess it takes that long to wind down operations...
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- Posted by: Bob Holland January 31, 2008, 5:00 AM
- Categories: Isuzu
June 15, 2007
Forbes.com and freep.com (Detroit Free Press) are reporting that Toyota is hooking up with Isuzu to help with diesel production. The diesel engines are believed to be Euro-spec Toyotas. However, Toyota is also keeping a close eye on Honda, which is about to launch diesels here in the USA. So, I think it's safe to say—if the need arises, Toyota needs to be ready to also offer those engines here...
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- Posted by: Bob Holland June 15, 2007, 7:12 AM
- Categories: Diesels, Honda, Isuzu, Toyota
April 5, 2007
I just went to the New York auto show exhibitor web site (link here), as I was curious as to whether Isuzu (you remember them don't you?) had anything new to show. Well, not only did they not have any new models on tap to help bolster its case for staying alive here—they didn't even have a display! That's right there is no official Isuzu presence at this year's show.
Prediction: Isuzu will announce before the end of the year that it will be pulling out of the U.S...
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November 7, 2006
Toyota and Isuzu have signed a memorandum of understanding stating they will start studying the synergic effects of business collaboration.
Not sure where this might lead, as it seems to me that Isuzu, from a product standpoint, offers pretty much the same types of offerings as does Toyota. In any event this is good news for Isuzu I would think, as on the surface, this appears to be more of a benefit for them than for Toyota.
Here's a news update: Toyota buys 5.9% of Isuzu...
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- Posted by: Bob Holland November 7, 2006, 8:33 AM
- Categories: Auto Industry, Isuzu, Toyota
August 9, 2006
Thanks to Edmunds.com forum moderator Steve, here are some pretty cool, and
Busby Berkeley-like highly choreographed
1980s Isuzu commercials from Japan.
Maybe if Isuzu USA used this sort of marketing, they'd be better off than they currently are?
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- Posted by: Bob Holland August 9, 2006, 12:00 AM
- Categories: Isuzu
August 2, 2006
Isuzu has just announced that they will be adding two 2WD pickups to their current model lineup: an i-370 4x2 Extended Cab and an i-370 4x2 Crew Cab.
Snippet: In announcing the new models, J. Terry Maloney, president and COO of Isuzu Motors America, said, "Some of our customers have said they needed the room of a crew cab but without the off-highway capability of four-wheel drive. And some of our customers have asked for the extra power of a five-cylinder engine in the versatile extended-cab body style...
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- Posted by: Bob Holland August 2, 2006, 6:20 AM
- Categories: Isuzu, Trucks
June 21, 2006
I've always had a soft spot for Isuzu. We owned a red 4-door Trooper when they first came out; 1984 I believe. Even though it was about a sophisticated and comfortable as a John Deere tractor, I really loved that thing, 2.3L four-cylinder and all... I took it out on the beaches of Assateague Island over on Virginia's eastern shore countless times...
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- Posted by: Bob Holland June 21, 2006, 12:00 AM
- Categories: Isuzu, Trends
April 11, 2006
Long expected, GM just anounced that they were selling off their Isuzu shares.
Snippet: TOKYO -- Cash-strapped General Motors Corp. is selling the shares it holds in truckmaker Isuzu to two Japanese trading companies and a bank for about $300 million to fund its turnaround in North America, the U.S. automaker said Tuesday...
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- Posted by: Bob Holland April 11, 2006, 6:47 AM
- Categories: General Motors, Isuzu, Trends
March 31, 2006
General Motors is in talks about the possible sale of its stake in Japanese sports utility vehicle maker Isuzu. GM currently holds about 8% of Isuzu's stock, worth an estimated 38 billion yen ($320m).
If this isn't the kiss of death for Isuzu car business here in the USA, I don't know what is. It's a shame, as I always thought Isuzu put out a good product, or at least they used to, when Isuzus were, well...
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- Posted by: Bob Holland March 31, 2006, 1:00 AM
- Categories: General Motors, Isuzu, Trends
December 20, 2005
Isuzu drops 7-passenger Ascender. This was to be expected, as GM recently announced that they were dropping the long-wheelbase Trailblazer and Envoy models.
So that means Isuzu will have to limp forward with the 5-passenger
Ascender and the i280/i350 pickups. Anybody willing to bet that Isuzu
will still be in the U.S...
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- Posted by: Bob Holland December 20, 2005, 8:46 AM
- Categories: General Motors, Isuzu
